What's the Solution to the Detroit Lions' No. 3 Wide Receiver Problem?

We're not here to judge, but rather support the Detroit Lions in their quest to conquer their problem. 

We've all been there. More than a few folks—the author included—spent their 20s banging their heads against the wall while throwing a mountain of draft picks to solve one of life's most elusive problems.

The third wide receiver.

We could continue to overlook this seemingly minor issue and appreciate that the Lions have Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate. But who does that really help?

No, ignoring the problem won't make it go away. There are steps Detroit can take to address the problem, including a nuclear option if the first courses of treatment don't resolve the issue.

First Step: Admitting There's a Problem

As always, you can't fix a problem unless you acknowledge it exists. That shouldn't take too much convincing here.

Player	Receptions	Yards	Touchdowns
Hakeem Nicks (IND)	38	405	4
Martavis Bryant (PIT)	28	649	8
Brandin Cooks (NO)	53	550	4
Wes Welker (DEN)	49	464	2
Jeremy Ross	24	314	1

Granted, only Wes Welker actually had the third-most receptions on his team. The role of third option isn't usually earmarked for a wide receiver, but for a running back or tight end. That will almost certainly be the case in Detroit for 2015.

But each of the four guys above brought something to the table that Jeremy Ross didn't. Bryant was explosive and generated points. Cooks and Welker brought in double the number of catches, and even Nicks was a trusty target, accounting for four scores.

Ross couldn't provide any of those things on an offense starved for diversity. And while Eric Ebron and the running backs will play a bigger role this season, none of them can step into Johnson's or Tate's roles if one should go down. 

In short, you can't get such little production from a player who sees this many snaps in a playoff game:

"

Lions 1st half WR snap count: Golden Tate 37, Calvin Johnson 35, Jeremy Ross 24, Corey Fuller 9

— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) January 4, 2015"

Second Step: Checking in on Development

There aren't many outside options at this juncture. The best solution—for the Lions' sake—had better rest somewhere on their roster, because things get gloomy otherwise.

The first choice on most message boards and #Lions Twitter is either Ryan Broyles or Corey Fuller. Considering how the coaching staff has treated the two in the past and at a recent minicamp, it looks as if Fuller is in the lead:

"

With Calvin Johnson out, top receivers were Golden Tate, Corey Fuller and Jeremy Ross

— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) June 4, 2015"

Fuller brings the height (6'2") and speed (4.33 40-yard dash at the combine) that screams "develop me!" And Detroit is banking on him being ready to grab this role.

In Detroit's heart-stopping win over the Falcons with Johnson out, Fuller was Detroit's second-best receiver in terms of production and on tape. However, he has to do a better job of creating separation, which should come with a better understanding of when to make cuts in certain routes.

Broyles is a much bigger enigma. He's universally loved for his sure-handedness, but the team kept him tethered to the sideline, presumably because he suffered an Achilles injury the year prior. He must regain explosiveness out of his cuts. Otherwise, he might not finish out his rookie contract.

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

Additionally, T.J. Jones also brings intrigue and mystery. He's another sixth-rounder (like Fuller), but he was drafted based on college production (120 catches his last two years) and steady hands over raw athleticism. He's the wild card of the bunch.

Of course, there's also room for Ross to improve. The coaches felt the most comfortable with him out of those above (who were healthy), so he has a leg up in that sense.

Yet, it's a stretch to give him the same receiving ceiling. If Ross sticks, Detroit had better hope it's much closer to the bottom of the depth chart.

Third Step: Scan the Waiver Wire

Detroit has taken this step already without waiting to see if the second step will work. Now, the Lions are hoping that effort at least provides a safe backup should the youngsters fail:

"

#Lions sign another WR Lance Moore, was with Joe Lombardi with the Saints. Played for the Steelers last year

— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) May 12, 2015"

Obviously, Lance Moore's time with the New Orleans Saints should benefit him in terms of route running and familiarity with the offense. And the Oakland Press' Paula Pasche noted "[h]e has a knack for creating separation," and has "great hands" and "enough speed" to make the roster based on her practice observations.

If these things carry over to the preseason games, the Lions won't have to look any further. But SideLion Report's Kent Platte astutely wrote that Moore was actually the second receiver for the Saints in 2012 and 2013, the last years Moore did anything of note.

Detroit needs someone who can present a danger to opposing defenses. If Moore isn't capable of creating a meaningful contribution on fewer targets, he won't have enough value to solve its problem.

That will leave the Lions hoping to turn someone else's trash (a cut player) into the elusive treasure they've been seeking. It isn't a great proposition. In fact, it's more likely Detroit would roll the dice with one of the players above, even if the coaches don't think they have what it takes.

Fourth Step: Wait Until 2016

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

The inconvenient truth is the increasing temperature and pressure on this position may lead to a wasteland of missed opportunities in 2015.

Now, it's possible that everyone stays healthy, the running backs and tight ends pick up the slack left by Johnson and Tate, and no one is the wiser about Detroit's little problem. But if injuries should strike, the entire mortgage comes due and the Lions' lease on the postseason could be underwater.

July is a time to contemplate all the scenarios the coming season could bring. Detroit entering next offseason with a renewed emphasis on adding a pass-catcher is a distinct possibility. Then again, maybe Fuller or Broyles finally pay a return on their investments in the form of yards, touchdowns and receptions.

All advanced stats, grades and positional rankings are courtesy of Pro Football Focus.

Brandon Alisoglu is a Detroit Lions Featured Columnist who has written about the Lions on multiple sites. He also co-hosts a Lions-centric podcast, Lions Central Radio. Yell at him on Twitter about how wrong he is @BrandonAlisoglu.